Sewer-flushing mechanism



July 8,1930. R. A. MADDOX- 1,710,038

SEWER FLUSHING MEGHANISI Filed nec'. 1, 192s Patented July 8, 1930AUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROBERT A. MADDCX, or Los ANGELES',CALIFORNIA, AssIGNoR To GENERAL SEWER l FLUsIIER COMPANY, INC., on LosANenLEs, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION or CALIFORNIA SEWER-FLUSHINGMECHANISM Application filed December 1, 1928. Serial No. 323,111.`

This invention pertains more particularly to an automatic flushingmechanism of the same general type as that illustrated and described inmy U. S. patent entitled Automatic sewer flushing device, bearing No.1,437,000, issued to me on November 9, 1922.

A main object of this invention is to provide a flushing mechanism ofthe float type that will automatically shut off the flow of water to asewer well when a predetermined volume has been admitted thereto, and todirect the flow thereafter to a fluid receptacle for tripping the wellvalve to release the volume of water in the well to flush the sewer.

Another object is to provide a mechanism in which the valve tilting panor receptacle is attached directly to one end of a walking beam, wherebythe flushing water is admitted 520 directly to the well from a tiltingreceptacle, and to provide means for closing the fluid outlet therefromwhen a predetermined volume has been admitted to the well.

Broadly the invention comprises a stand- 25 ard suitably mounted in asewer well provided on its upper end with a walking beam.

To one end of the beam is pivotally connected a vertically disposedvalve for controlling the -ffluid outlet from the well to the sewerlateral, and to its other end is rigidly secured a fluid receptaclewhose inlet is connected by a flexible hose to a source of' fluidsupply, and having a flexible fluid outlet pipe leading therefrom. Afloat operated mecha- '11 nism is provided on the beam standard forclosing the receptacle fluid outlet mechanism when a predeterminedvolume of fluid has been delivered to the well to fill the receptacleand actuate the beam for unseating the well 4@ outlet valve to permitthe fluid in the well to flush the sewer.

In the accompanying drawings wherein a single embodiment has beendisclosed by way of example;

Fig. 1, is a central vertical section through a flushing well with theflushing mechanism mounted therein, showing the mechanism in flushingposition in dotted lines.

Fig. 2, is a plan view of the flushing mecha- 5@ nism.

In the drawings, 5 designates a brick or concrete sewer flushing welllocated at the head of a sewer lateral G. The floor of the well isinclined as at 7 towards the head of the sewer lateral in order toinsure perfect drainage and the well top has a manhole closed with theusual cover (not shown). Leading into the well is a fluid supply pipe 8provided with a valve 97 which may be readily reached through tho wellmanhole when desired.

Adjacentthe valved opening of the sewer lateral in the bottom of thewell, a false bottom 10 is provided preferably formed of wood treatedwith asphalt or similar material to prevent rotting action of the water.This bottom is provided with a circular opening'in which is mounted ametal valve seat 11 having a spider 12 on its under side through whichpasses the guide stem 13 of a cylindrical valve 14 that is normallydisposed on the valve seat.

Bolted or otherwise secured toy the false bottom 10 is a verticallydisposed supporting standard 15 carrying on its upper end a walking beam16 pivotally secured thereto. One end of said beam is pivotallyconnected by a link 17 to the upper end of a valve 1a, and its other endis bent upwardly as at 18 and then horizontally as at 19 in order thatthe valve tripping receptacle 2O which is bolted or otherwise secured tothe portion 19 may be disposed substantially above the pivotal point ofthe walking beam and out of contact with the fluid in the well. i

The inlet 21 to the tripping receptacle 20 is connectedby a flexiblehose 22 to the valve of the luid inlet pipe, the hose being ofsufficient length to accommodate itself to the movenient ofthe tank on aflushing operation. The water vfrom the fluid inlet pipe dischargesthrough the tank outlet 23 which also has a. flexible hose 22 whichleads directly into the well, as will be described more particularlyhereinafter.

Bolted or otherwise secured to the standard 15 and projectinghorizontally therefrom is a bracket 24 on which is mounted a mechanismfor voperating the apparatus. This mechanism preferably consists of aguide rod 25 aixed to the bracket 24 and extends upwardly in alignmentwith the longitudinal axis of the standard. Slidably mounted on rod 25is a cylindrical metal float member 26 whose movement is controlled bythe rise and fall of the fluid in the well 5. Pivotally mounted inbearings 27 on the upper end of the float member is a brass tube 28,.one end being connected by a flexible hose 29 to the discharge outlet 23of the tripping receptacle, the water from the inlet pipe 8f passingthrough the receptacle 2O and the tube 28 to the well.

Pivotally mounted on the outer end of the bracket 24 is an upwardlyextending guide rod 3() on which is loosely mounted aweighted sleevev31, its upper end being provided with a latch member 32 adapted to beengaged by -a projecting lip 33 secured to the upper end of the float 26when the same is raised by the water in the Well, theV lip extendingover the edge of the float and in the path of the latch member. Thislatch mechanism is designed to shut oil' the water flowinginto the wellthrough the tube 28 whenra predetermined volume has accumulated therein,and to fill the tripping receptacle in orderV that the walking beam 16may be actuated to operate the flushing valve 14. Y

In the operation of the ushing mechanism as above described, the valve 9is opened to allow a flow of water through the receptacle 20 and tube 28into the well, the flow being regulated in order that a certain definitepe riod of time elapses between flushing operations. As the volume of'water rises in 'the well the float 26 will be carried upwardly on itsguide rod 25 until the lip 33 contacts with the latch member 32 of theweighted sleeve 31. On a further upward movement of the float 26, (whosemovement will now be retarded by the weighted sleeve) the upper bevelledend of the sleeve 31 will be brought into contact with a disengaging arm35 aliixed to the standard.

As the oat continues torise the disengaging arm will rock the pivotedarm 30 and dis engage the latch from the lip 33 of thefloat, and as therise of the float has been retarded it will be apparent that whenVreleased from the latch it will quickly rise and tilt the tube 28 to theposition shown in dotted lines and thus shut off the flow of fluid tothe well. When in this position the fluid from tlie inletl pipe willeventually lill the tilting receptacle' and overbalance the walking beam16 to unseat the' well outlet valve and permit the water to rush out andint'othe sewer lateral 6 to eflicientlyr flush the same. As the well isemptied the float will descend and again perf mit a flow of water to thewell, the outlet valve automatically reseating'.

l. An automatic sewer flushing mechanism comprising a well into which aconstant vol'- ume of water is admitted, the bottom of the well havingan outlet leading therefrom, a supporting standard mounted in said well,a walking beam pivotally carried by said standard, a valve pivotallyconnected to one end of said beam and a fluidpreceptacle secured to theother end, said receptacle having fluid inlet and outlet openings, theinlet opening of said receptacle connected to a source of fluid supply,a buoyant member mounted in said well, a fluid discharge tube pivotallyconnected to the buoyant member, a flexible hose connecting thedischarge tube with the receptacle outlet, whereby when the buoyantmember is moved upwardly the discharge tube will be tilted to close theoutlet and fill the receptacle to actuate the well outlet valve andrelease the water through the well outlet.

2. An automatic sewer flushing mechanism comprising a well into which aconstant volume of water is admitted, the bottom of the wellcommunicating with a sewer through a discharge outlet7 a standardmounted in said well, a horizontally disposed beam member pivotallysecured to the upper end of said standard, a valve pivotally secured toone end of-said beam and normally seated in the well discharge outlet, afluid tank secured to the otherend of said beam, said tank connected toa source of fluid supply and having an outlet discharging into saidwell, and a buoyant member connected to the fluid discharge outlet ofsaid tank, whereby when the buoyant member is raised the tank outletwill be closed to permit a fluid filling of the tank to overbalance thebeam and unseat the valve to flush the sewer.

3. An automatic sewer flushing mechanism comprising a well into which aconstant flow of fluid is admitted, the bottom of the well having afluid outlet communicating with a sewer, a valve for controlling saidoutlet and normallyseated therein, a tilting` beam one end beingpivotally connected to said valve, a fluid tank secured to the other endof said beam, said tank being connected to a source of fluid supply, afluid discharge outlet means connected to said tank, and buoyant meansfor operating' the outlet means to close the discharge outlet, wherebywhen the tank is filled the beam will be overbalanced to unseat the welloutlet valve to flush the sewer.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

R. A. MADDOX.

